Your opinion wanted

PUBLIC comments on two Derwent Valley Council policy documents close in a week's time. At the council meeting held in Maydena last month, a revised strategic plan and a new tree policy were approved to be released for public comments.

The Strategic Plan is available for downloading from the council website using the following link:
Strategic Plan 2011-15

The draft tree management policy is now available on the council website by clicking here:
Tree Management Policy

Comments and submissions on either policy should be addressed to the General Manager, PO Box 595, New Norfolk 7140 and will be received up to 5pm on next Tuesday, April 5, 2011.


There is also an opportunity for residents and ratepayers to make suggestions for the next council budget. For several years now, the council has invited written submissions for the Operational and Capital works budgets. Written submissions will be received by the general manager until the close of business on Friday week (April 8, 2011) and these will be considered during the budget deliberation process.

Child and Family Centre

THESE are my speech notes from last week's council meeting, on the topic of locating the proposed Child and Family Centre on Ellis Dean Reserve at New Norfolk. 

"Mr Mayor, we are indeed fortunate that the State Government wishes to establish a Child and Family Centre in the Derwent Valley. Sadly, I cannot support the general manager's recommendation to approve part of Ellis Dean Reserve as the location of this centre.

"I acknowledge the efforts of the Local Enabling Group and the comprehensive work it has undertaken in consulting with stakeholders in the 0-5 years target group, but by its own admission the group has not consulted the community at large.

"It was entirely correct for the group to address its specific audience while considering potential sites for the centre, but more extensive consultation was required once a park was chosen as the preferred location.

"This has not happened, and a suggestion that the council canvas public opinion was rejected by the leaders of group. Instead, it is proposed that the public have its say once the development application has been lodged - an adversarial process which could create another 'them and us' conflict.

"After the recent controversy over the proposed McDonald's, it is unfortunate that we may be setting ourselves up for a dispute over what has been called empty land at Ellis Dean Reserve. It is not vacant land - it is a park. It belongs to the whole community and the whole community should be given its say in this proposal to remove 2000 square metres of this park from public use.

"Ellis Dean Reserve is an important playground both for people who live in the area and others who travel from other parts of the town and beyond. In the midst of a so-called obesity epidemic, we need more places for young people to run and play, not less.

"Of course, it may be that the whole community agrees this is the perfect location for a Child and Family Centre, but at present this has not been tested and in the absence of full consultation I cannot support this recommendation."

Despite voting against the location, I support the proposed centre and wish its committee well as it progresses its plans.

Thinking outside the burger box

The proposed New Norfolk McDonald's

A similar Australian McDonald's

MANY McDonald's restaurants around Australia look fairly similar, built to a standard design, but it doesn't have to be that way.

At certain locations in Australia and around the world, developers come up with a design that suits local needs, circumstances and surroundings. In some places, McDonald's restaurants are fitted into existing buildings - there are even examples in medieval buildings in Europe.

In other places, McDonald's builds brand new restaurants that have been designed with their local surroundings in mind, and this was my hope for New Norfolk.

The developer behind the New Norfolk McDonald's proposal has exercised his right to appeal the Derwent Valley Council's requirement that he "work with the council and community to design a building that is appropriate to the site, taking into account the neighbouring heritage areas." I'm told by the council's general manager that the developer is prepared to discuss colours and materials, but not the design of the building.

Below are some examples of McDonald's restaurants around the world that have been built to unique designs that suit their surroundings. This remains my hope for New Norfolk's McDonald's.

I don't suggest that any of these would suit the New Norfolk site - they are merely an indication of what developers have been prepared to do in other locations.

North Carolina, USA

Yellowstone, USA

New York

Arizona, US (with Green Arches)

Singapore

Napier, New Zealand (art deco city)

Code of Conduct conclusion

THE Code of Conduct complaint made about me last February reached its conclusion at last week's council meeting, with the tabling of a summary of the determination of the Standards Panel of the Local Government Association of Tasmania. It had been my intention to let the moment pass without comment, but the kind remarks of some of my colleagues at the council table could have led casual observers to believe that I some way accepted the findings of the Standards Panel. In fact I do not accept the panel's decision and it was only the extreme cost of a Supreme Court action that prevented me from lodging an appeal.


As required by legislation, Mayor Martyn Evans tabled a summary of the panel's decision (posted on this website late last year). In addition to providing information required by law, the panel's summary also makes the unfounded allegations that I had attempted to influence a member of staff and that I had failed to exhibit a sound understanding of the respective roles, functions and responsibilities of councillors and council employees.

In fact, the Standards Panel erred in its belief that council staff were not required to declare potential conflicts of interest in the same way as councillors. The chairwoman in particular, a former mayor and president of the LGAT, was quite clear in her spoken remarks to that effect, even after I had mentioned that our own general manager had recently declared an interest in a recommendation before the council and quite properly left the room while it was discussed. The general manager's action was consistent with the council's staff policy manual, which says, in part: "Councillors and staff should ensure that there is no actual (or perceived) conflict or incompatibility between their personal interest and the impartial fulfillment of their public or professional duties."


These remarks of mine should not be taken to imply any criticism of Mr Ian Brown personally or of his decision to make his Code of Conduct complaint against me last February. That was his right, and, as I advised the Code of Conduct Panel and the Standards Panel, I regret that Mr Brown felt that I had failed him as a councillor.

After the tabling of the Standards Panel's report at last week's council meeting and listening to my colleagues' supportive remarks, I read out the following excerpts which were not included in the summary provided to councillors and the public:

* The Standards Panel determined that no evidence was presented to indicate that Cr Bester acted either maliciously or vindictively.

* The Standards Panel determined that no evidence was presented that Cr Bester targetted only the complainant in his statement, or that Cr Bester deliberately or unintentionally misled Council, or that he manipulated an inexperienced mayor to ensure that the complainant had to leave the council meeting.

* The Standards Panel determined that no evidence was presented to support the allegation that Cr Bester's manner and delivery were intended to highlight a personal attack on the complainant.

Given those three statements, and the panel's flawed view on staff conflicts of interest, it must be questioned on what basis I was found to have breached the Councillor Code of Conduct.

Fast food petition

EARLIER tonight I received a petition containing the signatures of more than 300 people who are opposed to the proposal of Humana Pty Ltd to build an unspecified fast food restaurant on the corner of George and Burnett Sts in New Norfolk. I have not yet decided how I will vote on this proposal, but it will be my pleasure to table the petition at this week's council meeting and report the concerns of this large body of people.

Rosedown open for flood relief appeal

DELICIOUS morning teas will be available in the picturesque setting of Rosedown Gardens this Thursday (February 3) in aid of the Queensland Flood Relief Appeal. The address is 134 Hamilton Rd, New Norfolk, and the gardens will be open from 10am to 1pm. Visitors will be able to take a stroll through the many gardens of roses, exotic trees and perennials, before or after taking in a Devonshire tea with fresh raspberry or mulberry jam. Organisers Joan Excell and Brenda Triffitt will also have a trade table. Admission will be $6 per person.

Australia Day in the country

TWO of the committees I attend on behalf of the council have planned a range of Australia Day activities for their communities and visitors are more than welcome to join in.

At Maydena, the Community Association will once again hold its traditional community walk to Junee Caves. Meet at the Maydena Swimming Pool at 9.30am on January 26 and then walk, ride or run 4.2km to the cave where cordial and biscuits will be supplied to provide sustenance for the walk back to the Community Hall for a barbecue lunch and a cricket match.

At Bushy Park, the War Memorial Swimming Pool will be open for a fun day on January 26. Discounted family admission prices will apply between 10am and 7pm, but the games and activities will take place between 11.30am and 2.30pm, along with a free barbecue.